Abbot's Welcome

I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. (Jer 3:15)

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May the love of God the Father, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary be upon you. Amen.

Thank you for visiting our web site. The Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos represents a diverse expression of what it means to cultivate a spiritual life while living as a Monk or an Associate in the world, in the footsteps of the Holy Virgin Mary. We are a faith-filled family of believers integrating the fundamental principles of contemplative Benedictine spirituality into our modern lives. Like the many different threads, which come together to form a magnificent tapestry, our religious order, while Catholic in the fullest sense, welcomes people from diverse liturgical, theological, denominational and jurisdictional affiliations, as well as cultural backgrounds and ages. The Order consists of two branches:

The First Order Monks (Ascetics) of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokosconsists of Brothers and Sisters living individually, in small groups, or with their families, serving God in the world, who profess the three vows that Benedictine Monks take: obedience, stability, and conversion; while endeavoring to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Order's Holy Rule of Life.

The Third Order Secular (Associates) of the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokosconsists of those members who have associated themselves with the Order and wish to participate in some way in the spiritual life of the community in order to enrich their Christian way of life. Associates shape their lives and seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life.

These two religious states are different ways of experiencing a more intimate consecration that has been rooted in Baptism and dedicated to God who is loved above all, following the pathway to complete holiness of life after the pattern of the Holy Theotokos. Working for the sanctification of the world, we commit ourselves to sacred bonds and observe among ourselves the communion and fellowship appropriate to our particular secular way of pursuing the "religious life". Each member of the Community, regardless of religious state, plays a vital part of the life, work, and vision of the Order.

The Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos is a small community of believers on a journey to seek spiritual growth and our place in the life of the Church. Many ask what our spirituality is. We are Benedictines of Mary. Marianists who have adopted the the principles, values, and disciplines of Benedictine spirituality, yet also enriched by some of the traditions of the many other religious orders in existence today (i.e., Cistercians, Trappists, Carthusians, Carmelites, Poor Clares, Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, Jesuits, Missionaries of Charity, Sisters of Life, Marians of the Immaculate Conception, etc.). O.SS.T. is a trailblazer, establishing a new spirituality to meet the needs of men and women of the 21st Century.

Christ is among us, every day, in every way. Washed clean in the waters of baptism, we share in his life and love. It is he who calls to us, day in and day out, he who calls us to a closer walk with him. It is Christ who says to us: "Who is there who longs for life?" and also, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden . . . for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." What could be sweeter to those of us who call ourselves Christians than the voice of our Lord calling to us? Each day many turn away from the Beloved, drawn from his embrace by the cares of this world.

Listen and listen closely to what the Lord is saying to you this day. This is an invitation from Christ to enter into a journey that will transform and renew those willing to be challenged. Religious life is not for everyone but for those who are called; it is a life that is unique beyond all others.

Religious life requires of you all that you hold dear. It will stretch you past your known limitations and give back little that the world considers valuable. Your joy, instead, will be in your struggle and in the knowledge that Christ stands firmly in the midst of that struggle, providing the solid Rock upon which your transformation can occur.

If you are called to a life of prayer, selflessness, discipline, obedience, stability, and conversion of life, then attend with the ear of your heart for you are the one to whom these words are addressed.

It is my prayer that you find the Order of the Most Holy Mary Theotokos to be a place where you can develop your spiritual potential to serve God, his Church, and your fellow human beings.

We hope you find the information found on our web site to be informative, educationally instructional, as well as inspirational!

If, after exploring our web site, you are interested in pursuing a vocation with our extended faith-filled family, we would love to hear from you. We are here to help you in any way we can.

May the Blessed Mother of God, the Holy Virgin Mary, the Holy Theotokos, intercede for us before the Lord.